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Aluminium Centrum
Few buildings evoke the universal response ‘how on earth does it stand up?’ but the Aluminium Centrum in Houten, the Netherlands, is one of them. A flat simple slab of a building (although not as simple as it first looks) is supported on the slenderest possible of supports coming up out of the water. On a day when the light is right, with reflections in the still water, the effect is of the tentacles of a jellyfish – not the most structurally rigid of concepts.
Architect Abbink X De Haas architectures (Micha de Haas) Location Houten - The Netherlands Company involved 3A Composites Website http://www.3acomposites.com -
Quai 9
From a distance, the outer shell of Quai 9 resembles an alien spaceship which has landed in the town of Lanester in north-western France. But on closer inspection, the facade is clearly composed of a series of triangular shapes which evoke the white sails of the boats that have been the lifeblood of this area for centuries. The name Quai 9 reflects both the maritime heritage of the region, and the fact that Lanester was established as an independent town in 1909.
Architect Cécile Moga (MOG Architects) Location Lanester, Lorient (France) Company involved Elval Colour Website www.elval-colour.com -
Moscow Hospital
Fire-resistant aluminium cladding from Aluwall System, in a rainbow of bright colours, lends a fittingly childish appeal to Moscow’s new and innovative Federal Research Centre for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. Primary colours and their complementary partners characterise the exterior and interior finishes of the blocks comprising this cheerful-looking hospital complex, each of which has been assigned its own, distinctive function.
Architect Moscow Project Institute & Asadov Architectural Studio Location Moscow - Russia Company involved Novelis Website http://www.novelis.com